- Anything in pure and raw form is always preferred due to its high nutritional properties and health benefits.
- In this form the powerful ingredient curcumin is not lost but is intact in it and hence delivers most of its benefit.
- You can grate it over your food or cut it into slices or pieces.
- Topping can be done over salads or wraps.
- The raw turmeric adds a unique flavour to the cuisine.
- In 1 teaspoon of fresh or ground turmeric, there is approx. 200 mg of curcumin.
- To get benefit for anti-inflammatory effects the dosage can be increased up to 1000 mg.
- The powder form is not as pure as raw Turmeric.
- It is the easiest form to use.
- Curcumin content is lost in the processing but there is still curcumin present, which is better than having no curcumin.
- It works well as a condiment and cosmetic products.
- It is widely used in making curries as it imparts a rich flavour to the food and acts as a preservative.
- From ancient times the powder form is also used in face masks for skin treatments.
- It is powerful in the treatment of acne, scars and reducing pore size.
Author(s) Details:
Bandana Chatterjee
Allahabad University, India
Recent Global Research Developments in Turmeric’s Effects on Skin Health
A systematic review of clinical evidence [1] explored the use of both topical and ingested turmeric/curcumin for skin health. Here are the key findings:
Skin Conditions Studied:
- The studies examined various skin conditions, including acne, alopecia, atopic dermatitis, facial photoaging, oral lichen planus, pruritus, psoriasis, radiodermatitis, and vitiligo.
Positive Effects:
- Ingestion: Some studies reported statistically significant improvement in skin disease severity with ingested turmeric/curcumin.
- Topical Application: Other studies found benefits from topical turmeric/curcumin products.
Early Evidence:
- Overall, there is early evidence that turmeric/curcumin products (both oral and topical) may provide therapeutic benefits for skin health.
- However, it’s important to note that currently published studies are limited, and further research is needed to better evaluate efficacy and mechanisms involved.
References
- Vaughn AR, Branum A, Sivamani RK. Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence. Phytother Res. 2016 Aug;30(8):1243-64. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5640. Epub 2016 May 23. PMID: 27213821.
